Global Push to Make Flights Safer by Tackling Turbulence
Turbulence has become an important issue in the aviation industry. Recently countries such as Japan, South Korea and Singapore have joined to speak up for global efforts to address this issue.
What's the reason? Turbulence is one of the leading causes of aviation accidents and as climate change causes more severe weather patterns these incidents are expected to increase.
Turbulence is the bumpy or rough air that airplanes may encounter. It can cause planes to shake and passengers to become uncomfortable. Sometimes it can be severe enough to injure passengers or cause an accident. Last year turbulence was responsible for approximately 40% of large aircraft accidents. While turbulence rarely causes fatalities it remains a major safety concern.
At a recent meeting of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in Montreal aviation regulators from several countries proposed adding turbulence as a specific category in ICAO's 2026 Global Aviation Safety Plan. This plan sets priorities for the aviation industry to ensure safer flights. By including turbulence in the plan these countries hope to improve how turbulence is predicted and managed.
One of the key ideas is to enhance the sharing of weather and turbulence data between countries. This would help create real time alerts that are easier for pilots to understand and respond to. Improved communication could mean fewer injuries and safer flights for everyone.
This push for action comes after a series of high-profile turbulence incidents. This includes one on a Singapore Airlines flight earlier this year. In that case turbulence was so severe that it caused one death and injured dozens of passengers. Incidents like this have highlighted the need for better forecasting and more robust safety measures.
The proposal to address turbulence will be discussed further with a decision expected at ICAO's triennial assembly next year. If approved it could lead to significant changes in how turbulence is managed globally making air travel safer for everyone.
